NVO vs. NVS: Novo Nordisk vs. Novartis Stock Comparison

Performance

Cumulative Growth

Trailing Returns

Performance at a Glance

Risk

Drawdown

Risk at a Glance

Company Profile

Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Novartis (NVS) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Novartis (NVS) trade as ADRs — their core financials are comparable, but keep FX, depositary-program fees, and dividend withholding in view for each.

Valuation

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.30 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Novartis (NVS) at 21.93 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.59 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Novartis (NVS) at 5.16 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.22 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Novartis (NVS) at 7.58 carries an above-peer premium to book — NVS is pricier on assets.

Valuation at a Glance

Profitability

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 71.40% and Novartis (NVS) at 34.93% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 37.21% and Novartis (NVS) at 23.92% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 61.57% and Novartis (NVS) at 30.48% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

Profitability at a Glance

Growth

Revenue Growth

Revenue Growth at a Glance

EPS Growth

EPS Growth at a Glance

Financial Strength

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.79 and Novartis (NVS) at 0.85 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.72 and Novartis (NVS) at 1.21 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Dividends

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 4.11% and Novartis (NVS) at 3.10% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 42.59% and Novartis (NVS) at 67.91% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.

Dividends at a Glance